Reducing Unsafe Acts While reducing unsafe conditions is the first line of defense, human misbehavior will short-circuit even the best safety efforts. Sometimes the misbehavior is intentional, but often its not. For example, dis- tractions contribute to about half of all car accidents. The National Safety Council estimates that cell phone use was involved in 24% of all motor vehicle crashes. 109 (Driv- ers of commercial interstate motor vehicles are banned from using handheld mobile telephones while driving.)!?! At work, not noticing moving or stationary objects or that a floor is wet often causes accidents, !2 And, ironically, making a job safer with machine guards or PPE lowers peoples risk perceptions and thus can lead to [more] at-risk behavior. ! Unfortunately, telling employees to pay attention isnt enough. First try to elimi- nate potential risks, such as unguarded equipment. Next, reduce potential distrac- tions such as noise, heat, and stress. Then, carefully screen and train employees. as we explain next. Reducing Unsafe Acts through Screening In reducing unsafe acts through screening, the employers aim 1s to identify the traits that predict accidents on the job and then test candidates for these traits. For exam- ple, the Employee Reliability Index (ERI) measures dimensions such as emotional maturity, conscientiousness, and safe job performance.* Employers also use work sample tests and tests of physical abilities to determine if the person can do the Job. Some employers conduct physical demands assessments (PDAs). These itemize a jobs physical demands, such as lifting 40 pounds an hour, and working in 90 degree heat. The employer then uses this to develop more precise screening and training for the job.! Behavioral interview questions can also be revealing. For example. ask. What would you do if your supervisor told you to do something you knew was unsafe Reducing Unsafe Acts through Training Studies by the Hartford Insurance Company found that injury rates for workers in their first month on the job were four to six times higher than for other workers. a Safety training reduces unsafe acts. especially for new employees. 107 Here the employer should instruct employees in safe practices and procedures, warn them of poten- tial hazards, and work to develop a safety-conscious employee attitude. OSHAS standards dont just require training. Employees must demonstrate that they actu- ally learned what to do. (For example, OSHA's respiratory standard requires that each employee demonstrate how to inspect, put on, and remove respirator seals. |" OSHA has two booklets, Training Requirements under OSHA and Teaching Safety and Health in the Workplace.) Because temporary workers account for a dispropor- tionate share of workplace accidents, the employer should take particular care to train them.!? The main aim of safety training is not to meet OSHA training standards, but to impart knowledge and skills to reduce accidents. One study found that the most effective safety training elicited employee engagement.! 10 The least engaging programs included lectures, films, reading materials, and video-based training. Moderately engaging pro- grams included computer interface instruction with feedback. Engaging ones included behavioral modeling, simulation, and hands-on training. Employers also use training vendors online safety programs.!!! Online safety course and video vendors include, for example, https://safetyskills.com/, PureSafety (www.ulworkplace.com), and https://vividlearningsystems.com/courses. When the University of California system wanted safety training for its 50,000 employees on 10 different campuses, it developed an online program with Vivid Learning Systems. The 2-hour custom online lab safety course covers OSHA regulations, with exercises for participants. 112 OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and other private vendors also offer online safety training solutions.!!? 1. Read Carter Cleaning Companys case study on page 590 and 591 from Human Resource Management, Gary Dessler 16^th edition (handout provided). (1000 words for 35 marks)

a. Identify five possible hazardous conditions in laundry and dry-cleaning business and state ways to deal with each. (10 marks)

b. Discuss any three strategies to be used by the managers at Carter Cleaning to get all employees to behave more safely at work. (9 marks)

c. Identify any four statutory requirements relevant for employment relationships and recommend appropriate practices for applying those to Carter Cleaning Company. (16 marks)

Attachments:

A3-Case-study....pdf